Kiss News

KISS returns to the Cheyenne Frontiers Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming tonight,July 29th!

CLICK HERE to buy tickets now!

By Anthony Keith / www.kgwn.tv

Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant Christa Leary will serve as the "Roadie for a Day" for the band Kiss this Friday in Cheyenne. MSgt. Leary was selected by Hiring our Heroes for the honor. Cheyenne-area veterans are also eligible for free tickets to the show through Vet Tix. A link can be found in the sidebar to the website.

"Kiss is a legendary rock band first of all, but it's also a rock band that has shown tremendous accord for the military and military families."This is going to sound really lame, but when i was a little girl I used to play air guitar to I Was Made for Loving you around My Bedroom," said MSgt. Leary as she talked about the excitement she has for being the "roadie for a Day".

About MSgt. Leary:

Master Sergeant Christa Leary is currently a Career Assistance Advisor and Retention Manager at Buckley Air Force Base, CO. MSgt Leary provides guidance regarding retention and morale trends for over 1,200 Airmen in geographic locations in Colorado and California. She functions as advisor and liaison to the wing populace at every level of the organization overseeing programs dealing with retention, morale. Her work includes statistical reporting, investigative studies, trend analysis and high profile briefings. Previous Air Force Reserve positions include Cyber Operations to control secure data, enforce policy and procedures to protect clients, networks, data/voice systems and databases from unauthorized activity as well as Non Destructive Inspection of C-17 aircraft. Her expertise is also sought in promotions, retirements, retraining, leadership coaching, bonuses, gains, readiness, protocol, and dress and appearance issues for the entire wing. MSgt Leary came to the Buckley from most recently Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina where she worked as an Information Systems Journeyman and Security Manager.

MSgt Leary first entered the Armed Forces with the U.S. Navy. She was trained as an Avionics Technician and served during and after Operation DESERT STORM. She repaired aircraft such as the F-14 at one of NAS Miramar�s prestigious Squadrons supporting Top Gun. Her various assignments took her from coast to coast until she moved to Turkey where she continued her service during Operation PROVIDE COMFORT, and Operation NORTHERN WATCH. She has worked in varying capacities over the years from supporting fellow service men and women after Tail Hook, standing up a new Expeditionary Support Unit in a remote location, to providing victim support during the Aurora Theater shooting, Waldo Canyon fires, and numerous suicide incidents. MSgt Leary has received a variety of decorations and awards and is honored to be recipient of the Jesse Childress Award. Her main focus is caring for Airmen and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come.

By Hillary Rosencrants / SiouxCityJournal.com

1st Lt. Trisha Theisen of the 185th Air Refueling Wing received a special opportunity Wednesday, thanks to her service in the Iowa Air National Guard.

With help from the Hiring Our Heroes program, Theisen was named 'Roadie for a Day' for the rock band KISS, which played Wednesday night at the Tyson Events Center.

Backstage, Theisen was invited to help with various tasks for the roadies, such as sound check, stuffing tote bags with merchandise for VIPs and equipment set up.

"Obviously they (the band) make a lot of money, and for them to give back and understand the importance the military has on our country is really humbling and just really cool," said Theisen. "So to be a part of this day -- it�s a pretty big deal."

KISS' Roadie for a Day program started at the beginning of its Freedom to Rock Tour 2016.

Among other perks for Theisen and her husband, Master Sgt. Jason Theisen, who accompanied her, were VIP access to backstage, a private pre-show acoustic set performed by the band members sans makeup, and exclusive Hiring Our Heroes/KISS T-shirts.

Theisen was selected for the roadie gig through a process of Hiring Our Heroes, a program which works with local military communities across the country to designate the roadies in each U.S. city on the Freedom to Rock Tour 2016. The program is a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation that helps former and present service members and their families find civilian employment.

"It�s fun having them; most of them are really excited," Robert John Wood, a KISS roadie, said of the roadies for the day. "It�s so new to them to be by rock stars and stuff. For most of them, this is a vacation. This isn�t work, this isn�t really a job."

Theisen has been in the military since 2001, when a cousin recommended she join to help pay for college. Instead, she fell in love with the fast-paced job and made it her career. She said her favorite part is the travel.

"The 185th is constantly deploying all over the globe," said Theisen. She currently performs a variety of duties around the 185th, serving as Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Public Affairs Officer, and helps the wing commander pen speeches.

Theisen has particularly enjoyed visiting Washington, D.C. with her husband as part of her service with the 185th.

"I'm from a small town; I never would�ve thought I would�ve had the opportunity or money to do that," said Theisen.

Theisen and her husband, Jason, also in the 185th, have two children, a 4-year-old and a 5-year-old.

"It's been a long time since I've been to a concert," said Theisen. "My husband and I -- we're so busy, we never really get the opportunity or take the time to go be together. So today is really cool for Jay and I."

By Bruce Miller / SiouxCityJournal.com

The Democratic and Republican conventions didn�t get the kind of cheering that greeted KISS Wednesday night at the Tyson Events Center.

Returning to Sioux City for the first time in decades, the rockers started with several big bangs (no kidding, the 21-gun salute is still ringing in fans� ears), lots of pyrotechnics and a level of showmanship that few have been able to claim.

Lead singer Paul Stanley said the latest tour � Freedom to Rock � was hitting cities where quality ruled over quantity. He detailed the Sioux City/KISS connection (five times since 1982) and the appreciation for years of support.

Like no other frontman in rock, Stanley got the crowd up and cheering, merely by �playing doctor� and checking its pulse. (It was more than healthy, by the way.)

Fellow founder Gene Simmons, meanwhile, displayed his guitar prowess, flashed the legendary tongue and made it around the expansive stage without missing a step in his oh-so-high heels.

Newer additions Tommy Thayer (lead guitar) and Eric Singer (drums) were able to keep the tradition alive with musicianship that sounded as fresh as it did in �82. Singer was particular strong on �Psycho Circus,� a late �90s release.

�Detroit Rock City,� �Shout it Out Loud� and �I Love it Loud� got the energy up while the lighting, sound and pyrotechnics guys worked their magic. (The Fourth of July in Sioux City didn�t have this many fireworks.)

Unlike other veteran acts, KISS didn�t dine out on nostalgia. Thayer got a solo (�Shock Me�) that was respectable and Singer got his moment on �Black Diamonds.�

Yeah, the show was loud. Yeah, the smell of sulfur was stronger than you�d want. But Wednesday�s concert was more of a primer, catching up those who weren�t in the KISS army way back when.

Oldies like �Flaming Youth� helped turn back the hands of time and remind fans when the Municipal Auditorium was the place to be and KISS was the only band they wanted to see.

While he might not have been the most natural fit for KISS, opener Caleb Johnson had his own style that sort of matched.

Rousing the crowd with songs that didn�t quite seem like the stuff an �American Idol� winner would sing, he worked his way through a bunch of lung busters, scoring with �Sugar,� �Devil�s Daughter� and �Hanging with the Band,� a cut from his newest EP.

Dressed in a long black coat and black jeans, Johnson worked hard � perhaps too hard for someone who doesn�t seem like an opener. He got super support from a backup singer (who was just as good as any of his �Idol� competition) and a band that sounded much bigger than it was.

Johnson has a bluesy Ray Charles quality that would work really well on quieter songs � ones that didn�t always edge into Steven Tyler territory.

He�s talented. Now he just needs to write a song that takes advantage of his ability to turn a town�s name into an introductory run for everything he sings.

Paul Stanley�s New York Times and international bestseller, Face the Music: A Life Exposed, is now in paperback! Read the shocking, funny, smart, inspirational story of a rock legend.

CLICK HERE to order now!

By Michael Ervin / midwestmusicscene.net

Alright Springfield!  You wanted the best you got the best!  The hottest band in the world, KISS!  JQH Arena was at capacity when the curtain fell and KISS took the stage with Detroit Rock City.  The band was perched on a platform that slowly descended to the stage while bombs exploded, flames shot into the air and smoke covered the stage.  There is truly nothing like the experience and adrenaline rush of a KISS concert.

Over four decades into their career, KISS still delivers a spectacular show like no other.  Paul, Gene, Tommy and Eric rocked through a seventeen song set with Gene spitting blood before the classic �God of Thunder� and breathing fire after �War Machine�.  Tommy wowed the fans by shooting exploding rockets from his guitar after �Shock Me� and Paul Stanley flew out to the back of the arena to perform �Love Gun� with fireworks shooting towards the stage from his platform at the close of the song.

KISS is honoring our military on this tour and stopped the show to donate a $150,000 check to veterans while the mayor of Springfield, Missouri took the stage to present KISS with a key to the city.  Paul told the crowd they had not played Springfield since 1990 so this was a special night for the college town.  Fans of all ages wore face paint and costumes to show their love and celebrate this magical night with KISS.

CLICK HERE to view a full KISS Springfield concert photo gallery.

Tommy fires up INTRUSTarena in Wichita on the Freedom To Rock Tour!

Totally optional, but totally FUN! Show your fellow cruisers your KISS passion, creativity, and skills. And don�t forget to vote for Kruiser�s Choice!

KISS Navy Across The Seas
The international KISS Navy unites! Represent your roots with your favorite jersey, hat, KISS concert tee, or other garb that displays your hometown pride!

Creatures of the Deep
The deeper we go, the brighter we glow. The KISS Navy is going to light up the seas as we shine in our glow-in-the-dark gear!

KISS Rocks Vegas
The more feathers, Elvis impersonators, and all-you-can-eat buffets, the better. Rock that Sin City vibe because what happens on Pearl stays on Pearl!

Kruiser�s Choice
Our fourth theme night is up to YOU! Complete this survey by Friday, July 29th to cast your vote.  

PAUL'S PIZZA CONTEST  
The Starchild loves his pizza (almost) as much as performing! Last year he prepared his favorite recipe so this year we�re tossin� the dough to you.

Click here for details on entering the contest!

KISS' Freedom To Rock Tour continues this week in Iowa, Wyoming and North Dakota.

July 27 -  Tyson Events Center - Sioux City, IA

July 29 -  Cheyenne Frontier Days - Cheyenne, WY

July 30 -  North Dakota State Fair - Minot, ND

CLICK HERE for full Tour date list

By Travis Heying / THE wICHITA eAGLE

In one month, Gene Simmons will turn 67. His KISS bandmate Paul Stanley isn�t far behind at 64. In other words, it isn�t 1977 anymore.

But 39 years after they played a show at Henry Levitt Arena that people still talk about, there they were, on stage at Intrust Bank Arena, spitting blood and jumping around in platform boots with the same youthful enthusiasm that made them famous.

Maybe it�s the makeup.

The patriotism-fueled �Freedom to Rock� tour stopped in Wichita on Monday night and played for a crowd of 8,000.

�You wanted the best and you got the best! The hottest band in the world� KISS!� Those lines have been repeated before their shows for 40 years and the band that invented the gargantuan rock show made an entrance like only they can. Behind a falling black curtain, three band members, Simmons, Stanley and guitarist Tommy Thayer, stood on a riser shrouded in fog. The letters K-I-S-S flashed behind them. The opening notes of �Detroit Rock City,� arguably their biggest hit, pulsed straight into a pyrotechnics blast that would have only surprised a first-time KISS concert attendee.

During the second number, the appropriately titled �Deuce,� Stanley sat down on the edge of the stage, nearly knocking a photographer in the head with his platform boots, but once positioned, hammed it up for the assembled photographers like an excited kid.

And speaking of kids, during �I Love it Loud� Stanley pulled a young girl up on stage and tucked her between himself and his guitar while she helped him play the song. In the sea of assembled fans, kids as young as seven were wearing makeup mimicking the different band members.

One might think the formula would be stale by now. Watch a YouTube video of KISS in 1977 and you�ll notice that not much has changed about their show. There are two different band members, but with the makeup, even that difference is negligible. Gene Simmons still spits blood and breathes fire. There�s still one pyrotechnic blast after another and it was ear-splitting loud. But the band delivered hit after hit with an enthusiasm that made it feel fresh and fun.

Every band member took a turn at lead vocals, and every song and harmony was spot-on. �Shout it Out Loud,� �Lick it Up� and �Cold Gin,� songs that spanned the entirety of the band�s four-decade career were performed. The crowd, even those on the sides of the arena, stood the entire show.

There are few spectacles in music like KISS, and every bro-country act that passes through Wichita these days, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Jason Aldean to name a few, put on shows that are molded from the blueprint that KISS created.

But those acts don�t have an anthem to close a concert with like �Rock and Roll All Nite.�

But before getting to that, the band paid tribute to military veterans and offered up a $150,000 check to the charity �Hiring our Heroes.� Even Vice Mayor Lavonta Williams joined the band on stage for the Pledge of Allegiance.

After a �Star-Spangled Banner� segue, the arena was filled with confetti, explosions and 8000 people pumping their fists in the air singing �Rock and roll all night and party every day.� Paul Stanley shattered a guitar on stage and a fireworks display fit for the Fourth of July lit up. It doesn�t get any more Rock and Roll, or American, than that.